ESPN already setting football games for TV

We're barely a month removed from the BCS Championship Game but, yes, TV games for '09 are already set.

ESPN today announced an initial schedule of 15 games (which will be expanded) it will televise next season. And among the SEC games already on the slate. ...

... are South Carolina twice and Ole Miss once.

The Gamecocks, which didn't release their '09 schedule until today, will play at N.C. State in the season opener on Thursday, Sept. 3. South Carolina will also play Ole Miss at home on Thursday, Sept. 24.

Other non-SEC highlights include Miami at Florida State on Labor Day night and Southern Cal at Ohio State on Sept. 12.

The Thursday night games, which I absolutely love, also has an attractive -- albeit ACC-leaning -- lineup. It includes Georgia Tech at Miami, Florida State at North Carolina and North Carolina at Virginia Tech.